Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Gladstone Central, Australia, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health. Understanding UV levels can dramatically reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors while staying protected. Gladstone Central’s Cfa climate typically brings plenty of sunny days, making it essential to monitor daily UV exposures—especially when midday peaks reach a significant 7. From leisurely afternoons at the park to beachfront fun, know the numbers so you can make informed decisions about when and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The UV Index reveals an early morning reprieve, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM and remaining low through 9:00 AM. However, as the sun climbs, intensity increases sharply, peaking at a 7 around noon, signaling the most potent UV exposure of the day. The early afternoon maintains a respectable UV level of 6 at 1:00 PM before gradually tapering off. By mid-afternoon, it drops to 4, then swiftly declines to 1 by 4:00 PM, and finally settles at 0 by 6:00 PM, marking the day's end for UV concern. This hourly trend underscores the importance of sun safety during peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, peaking in the winter months, specifically from January to February with an extreme index of 15, resulting in a burn time of just 10 minutes. March continues with a high index of 14 before dropping to 11 in April; however, the risk remains extreme for these months. As we transition into May and June, the UV Index decreases slightly to 8 and 6, representing very high and high exposure categories, respectively, with burn times extending to 15 and 25 minutes. Notable high-risk months return in September and November, where the index reaches 11 and 14, respectively, each again requiring only 10 minutes of exposure to cause burns. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these high-risk months by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade, particularly during peak sun hours to minimize UV exposure and potential skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne UVI | 14 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 |
| Adelaide UVI | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Sydney UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Perth UVI | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| Brisbane UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Gladstone Central | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |